What a Victory

There are few fonder memories for Brisbane fans than their club's five Grand Final wins, but this epic victory over the Newcastle Knights would go close. Both sides went into this round 7 encounter unbeaten, but their form could hardly be more different. The Broncos had struggled to put away the Sharks, Raiders and Panthers in the past three weeks while the Knights averaged 42 points per game in the most dominant start to a season in recent memory.

But Newcastle came to ANZ Stadium with the significant baggage of knowing they had not won at the venue in four previous attempts. This presented their best opportunity so far. However, for all the problems the Broncos had technically over the past month they made up for with sheer courage and determination, a never-say-die attitude that has earnt the club more premierships than any other in the past 12 years.

The Knights did what many expected and darted to a 10-0 lead after just 16 minutes. But the Broncos fought their way back through sheer grit. Eventually the Knights had to crack and Shaun Berrigan capitalised, storming through a gap and fending off three defenders before finding winger Lote Tuqiri in support to score his first try of the season. Michael De Vere's kick sailed well wide to keep the Broncos down by a converted try.

Brisbane had all the running late in the first half but desperate Newcastle defence prevented them from adding to their title. As the half time siren sounded De Vere lined up a penalty goal after the Knights found themselves offside after a turnover. The goal saw the Broncos less than a converted try behind.

The Broncos needed a good start after half time but it didn't come. Referee Paul Simpkins continued to give Newcastle penalty after penalty. Eventually it was just too much for Tallis. After the Broncos were penalised for stripping the ball, Tallis saw in disgust on the screen that the Knights player had lost the ball cold and took the issue up with Simpkins. Getting nowhere, Tallis got more frustrated, so much so that Simpkins marched him to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Andrew Johns landed the penalty goal to push them ahead by six.

But the sin binning for Tallis only spurred the remaining 12 players on and the next 10 minutes was the turning point in the match. The Broncos stormed back and eventually something had to give way, and it was De Vere's 12-month try drought. The dependable centre added a bit of brilliance when he miraculously held onto a tap on, then had the presence of mind to chip ahead, chasing through and capitalising on a cruel bounce that fooled the Knights defence to score. He missed the conversion as Tallis returned to the field but the game was well and truly alive.

The 37000 people in the stands roared their delight as Tallis ripped in with his first hit up with more vigour than he's shown all season and his forwards followed him. The Broncos were on a roll. As was the case in the corresponding game last season, Chris Walker was the gamebreaker. Deep on attack once more, Walker busted through the first line of defence, then fended off Robbie O'Davis with ease to score in the corner. De Vere converted magnificently from the sideline for a 16-12 lead with 13 minutes to play.

De Vere landed another penalty goal shortly after to lead by 6 with 7 minutes to go. Darren Lockyer missed with a field goal attempt, but the Broncos were not to be denied. The Knights earnt a line drop out late but Matthew Gidley lost control of the ball to release the pressure. Then, with 20 seconds to go, Andrew Johns was smashed by Andrew Gee, losing the ball, the Broncos playing out time to record a memorable victory.

Earlier it looked as though the Knights were keen to repeat their early devastation they put on the Sharks a week earlier. When Mark Hughes crashed over after Bill Peden miraculously flicked the ball inside, and then Steve Simpson somehow grabbed a kick and grounding it just centimetres inside the dead ball line. Johns, scheming near the line, was causing all sorts of problems but as the Broncos took control he had little further impact on the match.

Both sides have judiciary concerns with Andrew Gee and Steve Simpson reported for high tackles, both of which left their targets concussed. Ironically both tackles looked remarkably like the tackle by Petero Civoniceva that saw him outed for this encounter. The Broncos also lost hooker Michael Ryan in the first 20 minutes for the match after what looks to be a serious knee injury.

The biggest Broncos home crowd since round 25 in 1999 against Parramatta was the most animated of any in recent memory and their vocal cheering had much to do with the comeback. The constant reminders to Simpkins that his performance was very one sided also allowed the referee to even up the score before full time. At one point the penalty count was 7-2 before the Broncos had the final 4 on the way to victory. Simpkins made a number of monumental blunders, none worse than a missed knock on by Newcastle after an attempted intercept following a break by Darren Lockyer.

After thanking their fans for their support, the Broncos no doubt celebrated with a particularly enthusiastic rendition of the victory song. To a man they can be thrilled with their efforts, but for once the focus wasn't on Darren Lockyer and Allan Langer. Both were relatively quiet by their standards, but Michael De Vere has never played better. After being completely discarded as a State of Origin chance, De Vere was in everything. His defence was crushing, completely tightening up the defence out wide; he ran the ball back out of his own half with gusto and chimed in with some valuable plays in attack. He was well supported by his forwards. Shane Webcke, Gorden Tallis, Carl Webb and Corey Parker were simply outstanding, but a special mention must go to Bradley Meyers. Meyers has suffered a crisis of confidence since his Test debut last season and this week it came to a head when he was rejected by Queensland's selectors. He consulted coach Wayne Bennett and a sports psychologist and it obviously did the trick. He tackled hard, he ran harder and he was simply a joy to watch, reviving memories of his heroics in Origin three last year.

Andrew Gee had a mixed bag, but who will ever forget the prop's magnificent 40-20 kick that gave the Broncos early impetus in the second half? Phil Lee continues to grow in confidence and Brent Tate was sensational in the starting side. Lote Tuqiri had his strongest game of the season by far and Casey McGuire made a valuable contribution filling in at the unusual position of hooker late in the game.

The first 25 minutes was all Newcastle, dominating with more than 60% of possession. Much of that came from the brilliant performance of props Matt Parsons and Josh Perry. Simpson, Daniel Abraham and Peden were also strong, but it's no coincidence that the Knights began to falter when Clint Newton and Jarrod O'Doherty came onto the field. Both struggled against a fired up opposition and made very little impact. John Morris and Anthony Quinn were strong out wide but Robbie O'Davis, Matt Gidley and Andrew Johns were ineffective after their forwards were dominated.

The Broncos now have to maintain the intensity and form they discovered in this match when they take on Souths at Aussie Stadium next Friday night. Meanwhile the Knights have to regroup and face another tough road trip, Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. But for now the two sides have switched positions on the ladder.

Play of the Day

In a match where there were a lot of crucial plays, Andrew Gee (Brisbane) surprised everyone with a 40-20 kick early in the second half. It was a kick Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer would be thrilled with and Gee just took it in his stride. The extra possession allowed the Broncos to continue their growing momentum as they came home strong.